LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — While students may only want to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, summer, there is still a hurdle that many Los Alamitos High School Griffins must overcome: the Advanced Placement exams. These AP exams are what students have been bracing themselves for the entire school year. Now, dreaded “AP season” is officially here, casting a gloomy shadow of late-night studying and early-morning testing over the LAHS campus.

Some students are confidently approaching their AP exams, while others just want to get them over with. What matters is how they prepare themselves for these lengthy tests and how they manage their stress throughout the study process.

“During AP season, it is important not to get overwhelmed. You have been working the whole year for this goal. There is lots and lots of information that lives in your brain, and now you just have to let it all out,” said Mrs. Fox, who teaches AP Calculus BC.

On top of that, students who are taking certain AP courses must adapt to the new digital AP exams, while other classes are taking a hybrid approach or staying with the traditional format of pen and paper. With varying exam layouts, students who are taking multiple AP exams may need to mentally prepare themselves for even more than just studying. Additionally, some Griffins worry that the digital testing programs will present problems on the day of their exams.

“I think digital exams may be more efficient, but I can see the negative effects of it if there are any technology issues on the day of the test,” said junior Ellie Sutherland, who is taking AP Psychology and AP English Language and Composition, both of which will be digital exams.

In the meantime, students have taken on a variety of study methods to prepare for their AP exams.

“If you’re only a week away from AP exams, you might be able to take a practice test to pick one or two subjects to read up on. Aside from that, just make peace with yourself. Do not pull an all-nighter. (It’s) much better to go into the test feeling sharp rather than like a zombie,” said senior Connor Carruth, who is taking AP Japanese and AP Environmental Science.

LAHS teachers also advise taking advantage of the free study tools available on AP Classroom, as well as using Quizlet and other resources. Another great way to prepare for AP exams is to switch between individual and group study sessions to mix up your routine and cover as much content as possible.

AP Psychology teacher Mrs. Kibtya recommends eliminating distractions, spacing out workloads and taking breaks when studying for an effective review session. She also suggests using colors to better remember notes and watching review videos like Crash Course to refresh on old information. 

Of course, students have already been preparing the entire school year for their AP exams in their AP classes, but once spring semester arrives, studying early never hurts.

As much as you may want to lock in for your AP exams and study around the clock, it is just as important to take care of yourself, too.

“Make sure to drink water, eat healthy, stay positive and stretch. I also find that listening to music can help me relax and feel more at ease,” said sophomore Aleea Evans, who is taking AP World History.

When it comes to remembering facts, lesson notes, study methods and dealing with everything else that is going on at the end of the school year–all at the same time–students often forget that failing an AP exam may not be the end of the world amid this jam-packed season.

“The worst thing that can happen is that you don’t get college credit, so try not to stress about the outcome so much,” said senior Derek Begely, who takes AP Statistics.

Because, at the end of the day, it’s just a test.